Defending champions Comets softball reloads for 2016

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Palomar Comets softball, in their 2016 season, have quickly picked up the winning traditions of last years state champion team.

After losing their first game the Comets have been on a roll, winning six in a row by a combined run total of 53-9, including a pair of sweeps on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6.

Although both days went smoothly for the team, head coach Lacey Craft and the players, are focusing on team bonding for the new squad.

Friday’s first game was ended early via a mercy rule against Citrus College, while the second game lasted the full seven innings.

Last year’s team went 41-4-1 and won the state championship against the number-one ranked team, College of San Mateo, handing them their only losses of the season.

With only four returners who experienced the highs of last season, Coach Craft’s main goal this early in the season, is developing skills and team chemistry.

“We aren’t focusing too much on every opponent, but instead on what we can do every day to get better and improve our own team,” Craft said.

On Feb. 5 the team faced Citrus College, who struggled from the beginning. Palomar took advantage early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. The Comets also had an impressive fourth inning, scoring six runs on eight hits, to push the score to 8-0. The short-lived game lasted only five innings, with the Comets defense holding firm behind sophomore pitcher Summer Evans, allowing only four Owl players to reach a base.

For the second game the atmosphere became more enthusiastic, with the crowd nearly tripling from the first. Again the Comets raced ahead early, scoring a quick five runs by the end of the first inning. However, Citrus replied quickly, with two runs in the top of the third. In the bottom of the fifth, Iesha Hill, a returning sophomore, smacked a two-run home run padding the lead 8-2.The game ended with another Palomar victory, this time going seven innings, with a final score of 8-3.

The long day was even longer for Pitcher Summer Evans who pitched all 12 innings on Friday.

“I feel like I was prepared to pitch for a long period of time because I know what to expect from last season,” Evans said.

Iesha Hill, MVP of last year’s state tournament, had all eyes on her when she blasted her home run over left field. “I was ready,” Hill said. “I trusted myself and knew the pitch was mine and it felt great.” Hill says that she gets pumped up for a game with a game-day playlist, featuring old school and hip-hop.

Team bonding might not be too much of an issue for this young team. Both Evans and Hill take initiative as sophomores to take on the leadership roles. They have strengthened the camaraderie by taking hikes in Torrey Pines and Palomar Mountain, choosing places to eat together, and even conducting sleepovers.

Although this team is young, with 14 freshman, the Comets are strong in individual skill, with a team commitment to make a run into the playoffs.